Crane construction



Feb. A. L. SNN ETAL CRANE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 7, 195o v sheets-sheet y1 i Qui@ l ARTHUR N CHARLES D. cu/.D

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Feb. 10, 1953 A. L. sENN ETAL CRANE CONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 7, 1950 e .D JN SN L mmwmw w wDNs N NL @L e um. U r mim r me A ACA Feb. l0, 1953 A. 1 sENN ETAL 2,627,984

CRANE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 7, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. ARTHUR L. SFA/N CHARLES D GOL/LD CAR/ El/EA/SEN Alan/UR ,L SENA/ Jep Feb, 16, 1953 A. 1 sL-:NN ETAL CRANE CONSTRUCTION '7 Sheets-Sheet 4,

Filed June 7, 1950 w m, NUNN m n N NS E wnmf.. wm mi 4m MEL# T @Mem A AcmA Feb. l0, 1953 A. L. sENN ETAL CRANE CONSTRUCTION '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 7, 1950 INVENTORS. ARTHUR L. SENA/ CHA/ass D. Gouna CARL EvEA/sew Aer/we L. s'-A/N we BY M HJ 7,20%

A fram/5v5 Feb. 10, 1953 A. sENN ErAL CRANE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 7. 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 L r I I SND J www @YJ wfGNs N m/ DML Wm @SER r w/ U T MMM A AMCA Feb. 10, 1953 A. sENN ErAL 2,627,984

CRANE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 7, 1950 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INI/ENTORS'. ARTHUR L, SEN/V CHA ELFS D G0L/D CAQ/ E VEA/ 55N A27-Hw@ L. 559W/ d?.

A fro/@NE v5 Patented Feb. 10, 1953 CRANE CONSTRUCTION Arthur L. Senn and Charles D. Gould, Seattle, Carl Evensen, Sebold, and Arthur L. Senn, Jr., Seattle, Wash., assignors to Colby Steel & Manufacturing, Inc., Seattle, Wash., a corporation of Washington Application June 7, 1950, Serial No. 166,642

11 Claims.

Our invention relates to a crane construction and of a type which is particularly adapted for use aboard marine equipment, and which may be therefore termed a shipboard crane.

While devices of our invention may be mobile or temporarily mounted, permitting the crane to be moved fore and aft or thwartships as may be desired to reach particular handling operations, we have illustrated our invention in connection with a Xed installation aboard a ship. Also, cranes of our invention may be installed on wharves, docks, or other land installations.

Most prior art cranes have employed a single the boom tip to the load and thus with inertia resulting from rapid rotation of the boom about Y its inner end portion (such rotation is commonly referred to in the art as slewing and is so referred to hereinafter) or sudden stopping of such slewing, or due to raising or lowering of the outer end of the boom (commonly referred to in the art and hereinafter as luing), a very objectionable swing of the load often results.

We have found that it is not only necessary to use more than one laterally spaced cable to handle a load, but it is necessary that they be subject to denite control so as to .provide for a definite control eliminating swinging movement of the load when desired.

In a general way, to overcome objectionable features in prior art cranes, our invention embodies structure generally characterized as follows:

(a) A two line, double drum, compensating and stabilizing hoist unit.

(b) A two line, double drum, luing unit to provide stability and to prevent warping or twisting motions of the boom frame structure about its longitudinal axis.

(c) A pivotally supported boom frame structure of sufficient width at its outer or tip portion so that spaced apart luing lines may be connected with said tip portion at suitably spaced apart locations to support the tip portion of the boom against twisting or turning about its longitudinal axis.

(d) A construction wherein the luing lines passover spaced locations alined with the boom heel portion so that the luiiing lines are spaced apart at the tip portion of the boom, at the heel portion of the boom, and are located at an elevation above the heel portion of the boom.

(e) When required for fast slewing cranes, we provide an additional stabilizing line connected with the load so that the relative position of the load may be controlled by three cables positioned,

as respects each other in horizontal section, as the corners of a triangle.

A further object of our invention is to provide a weighted spreader supported by spaced apart cables and to connect the weighted spreader to the load so that the spaced apart or hoisting lines supporting the Weighted spreader do not tend to twist or turn about each other.

It is another objectof our invention to provide hoist lines which are spaced apart where they are suspended from the tip portion of a boom and spaced apart where they connect to a spreader so that there will be a substantial difference in the lengths of the cables or hoist lines as the loadswings, and which difference in length causes enough travel so that compensating de,- vices may be employed to resist the swinging movement and thus stabilize the load.

It is a further object of our invention to provide mechanism so that the device may be op- .erated successfully under list conditions of a ship. In other Words, the load may be stabilized between two hoist lines even though the ship is at a list and the load will normally hang to one side or the other of the boom structure rather than in a plane parallel with the same.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a load stabilizing device to a load suspended from two cables at the tip portion of a boom so that the operator may at any time cause the load to drift to either side and be supported -by either of the hoisting cables or equalized between the two hoisting cables and in turn cause any desired distribution of the load on either or both of the hoisting cables.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a device which may have a maximum of rotary speed or a maxmum speed of slewing and at the same time with a control means for stabilizing and prevention of swinging motion of the load caused by the rapid slewing or the rapid stop thereof. 1

Other objects and advantages of the inventicn will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention will be best understood from a consideration ofthe following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of vthe specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not tobe limited to the exact details of construction shown and described since obvious modications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a device embodying our invention; v

the control tower or operators seat shown inV Fig. 2 and brake connecting means, Fig. 7 being on a larger scale than Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary schematic View inside elevation of parts shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a schematic fragmentary view illus trating a control mechanism which may be employed in. connection with a luiilngmotor and a slewing motor employed in our crane;

Fig. is a schematic view taken substantially at right angles to Fig. 9',

Fig. ll is a view similar to Fig. 9A showing a control mechanism which may be used in connection with a hoisting motor' in a crane of our invention;

Fig. l2 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a-modied form of our invention;

Fig; 13 is a fragmentary view taken substantially in thev direction of broken line I3-I3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a View of the outer tipV portion of a modified boom construction embodying our invention-:and

Fig; is an elevational view of parts shownin Fig. 14.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, of the drawings, a supporting means II is illustrated as a rigid portion of the ships structure as a king post. Various other types of supporting means may be employed, but generally. it is desirable to have the upper portion of the supporting means somewhat elevated above the deck of the ship or above the level of the load to be handled by cranes embodying our invention. It is desirable that the cab I2 be mounted for rotary movement about the supporting means II, and one way of accomplishing suchV result is to employ bearing I3 between the top of supporting means II and a tubular member I4. Thus the tubular member It telescopicallyreceives therein the supporting means II. In order that the tubular member I4 may rotate relative to thev fixed supporting means II and with a minimum of friction, a plurality of rollers I5 (Fig. 4) are rotatively carried by the tubular member I4, and their peripheries engage the external surfacefof supporting means II. carries the cab I2 and relative motion between the tubular member I4 and parts connected therewith as respects supporting means II may be accomplished by a bull ring I6 (Fig. 4) having internal teeth which mesh with a bun pinion n. The bull pinion Il is driven by any suitable source of power, such as a slewing unit I8 having a reduction unit (Fig. Li).` In the description thus made, there has been indicated a xed bull ring with internal teeth meshing with a bull pinion I'I.

Such construction is preferable as it permits the y useof enclosed gears. However, obviously, if the advantage of enclosed gears is not desired, the bull ring IG may be provided with external teeth meshing `with a suitable bull pinion.

While various typesof prime. movers maybe The tubular member I IIv employed, we have indicated, by way of illustration and not as a limitation, the use of fluid driven motors and a source of fluid under pressure as typical driving units of the various parts of our invention.

A boom frame structure I9 has its inner end portion pivoted to the upper deck 20, carried by the tubular member III. The upper deck 2i), cab I2, lower deck 2|, and tubular member I4 are structurally braced to form a rigid unit and which unit may be rotated by slewing motor I8 through bull ring I6 and bull pinion I1 as previously described. For purposes hereinafter described, the inner end of the boom frame structure I9 is pivoted to the upper deck 20 by laterally spaced apart bearing means 22. This spacing should be substantial to provide a mode of operation which is hereinafter described.

The boom frame structure I9 is preferably fabricated, into an individual unit as shown, so as to not only resist bending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the boom frame structure, but to prevent twisting of the boom structure I9 relative to its longitudinal axis. The outer end portion of the boom frame structure I9 carries sheaves 23 and 2i (Figs. l and 2) about which cables are reeved and which will be later explained. Also rigidly connected with the tubular member I4 and preferably at the top thereof is a frame structure 25. Frame structure 25 mounts a plurality of sheaves including sheaves 2li, 2, 28 and 29. The sheaves 23, 2i, 25', 21, 28 and 29 are mounted to lud or angularly move the boom fra-Ine. structure I3. about its bearings 22 through a prime mover andy cable means. The prime mover indicated (Fig. 3) is illustrated as a huid motor 30, gear reduction means SI, gears 32, cross shaft 33, and drums 3d and 35. The cross shaft 33 is supported at its respective ends by bearings 3S and 31. Gear reduction means 3| drives cross shaft 50, which cross shaft 4i! is provided with suitable bearing means 38 and 33 and cross shafts 40 and 33 fixedly carry gears 32. Thus, upon driving fluid motor 38 in a given direction, the drums 34 and 35 will be driven together and in a direction dependent upon the direction of drive of fluid motor Si). Drums 3d and 35 are driven together as a unit in either direction by uid motor 3B and are also provided, if desired, with brake means embodying a brake band lli engaging with a braking surface on drums 315-35.

Preferably, we provide two cables for lufng the boom frame structure I9 about its pivot means 22 and at the same time employ sheaves 2% to 29 inclusive at the elevation shown so as to further aid in bracing or supporting the boom frame structure I9 against twisting movement aboutu its longitudinal axis. Thus, acable portion i2 (Fig. 3) is reeved about drum 35, extends upwardly therefrom forming a cable portion 42a (Fig. 2), and which cable portion 42o extends upwardly and over sheave 2l (Fig. l), thence extends longitudinally of the boom forming cable portion 22h, thence reeved about sheave 23 forming cable portion Iii-2c, cable portion 22C returns to and isreeved about sheave 25 forming cable portion 42d, and thence cable portion @2d extends longitudinally of the boom frame structure I9 and is 4connected with an outer end portion of the boom frame structure I9 as to becket 43. At the opposite side of the boom frame structure I9 is a cable having portions similiar to and reeved in a similar manner to the cable comprising cable portion d2, 2st, 42h, 22e and 32d. As Fig. 1 is a plan View and no elevation view is shown similar 'to'Fig 2 from the opposite side, only'portions of the cable comprising portions 4Q to 44d inclusive are numbered. Thus, cable portion 44 is reeved about drum 34 (Fig. 3), extends upwardly therefrom and about sheave 28 (Fig. 1) and then extending longitudinally of the boom frame structure i9 forming cable portion 44h (Fig. l), thence about sheave 24 and returninglongitudinally of the boom frame structure I9, and thence extending about sheave29 and extending longitudinally of the boom frame structure I9 forming cable portion 45d. Cable portion 44d is connected with a becket 45. Beckets 43 and 45 are pivotally connected with an outer portion of theboom frame structure I9. and function as a means to dead-end the cable portions 4connected therewith, and to provide a means for adjusting the relative lengths of the cable comprising portions 42d and 44d.

By employing two laterally spaced cable means to lufl` (raise or lower) the outer end of the boom frame structure I9 and where each cable is connected with the outer end of the boom structure I9 at laterally spaced locations, each cab-le means t2 to 42d inclusive and 45 to 44d inclusive extends above the boom frame structure I9 and is reeved over sheaves which are spaced apart (e. g., sheaves 26 and 21 are laterally spaced apart from sheaves 26 and 29) and at the same time each set of sheaves, such as sheaves 26 and 21, or 28 and 29, are above the Pivotal bearings supporting the boom frame structure I5, as bearings 22, we provide for substantial bracing preventing angular twisting movement of the boom frame structure I9 about its longitudinal axis. In other words, we have provided two parallel triangles, the top and end legs of which comprise .cables having portions 42 to 42d inclusive anddfl toy 44d inclusive, and the other leg of the triangles comprises spaced apart portions of the boom frame structure I9. As the cables 42 to 42d and 44 to 44d, are always under tension as they carry at least the weight of the boom, obviously, the structure is provided with a limited twisting movement about the longitudinal axis of the boom fra-me structure I9. This is of particular importance in our invention, as our device is designed to permitan operator to control swinging movement of a load suspended from the outer end of the boom frame structure I9. Obviously, any twisting movement of the boom frame structure I9 would be redected in a swinging movement to the load and thus structure limiting twisting movement of the boom frame structure I9 is of great importance in our invention.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, a fluid motor 56 serves as a prime mover for raising and lowering the hoist line means of the crane of our invention. The fluid motor 45 is coupled wit a braking mechanism 41 which in turn is connected with a gear reduction means 48 which in turn is coupled with cross shaft 49.

Referring now to the enlarged view Fig. 5, the cross shaft 49 carries a, gear 5l! which meshes with gear 5I. Gear 5I is dxedly connected with cross shaft 52. Drums 53 and 54 are doatingly mounted on cross shaft 52. Drum 53 carries a bevel gear 55. Similarly drum 54 carriesv bevel gear 55. A spider 51 is dxedly mounted on cross shaft 52 and mounts a plurality of bevel pinions 58, which said bevel pinions 58 mesh with bevel gears 55 and 56. The parts 55, 56, 51 and 58 function as a differential and thus, if power is applied to cross shaft 52, such power will be transmitted via the differential to the two drums A53 and 54. On the other hand,l if either of the drums 53 or 54 rotatively moves while the cross shaft 52 is held, such motion will be transmitted via the differential to the other drum and in the reverse direction. Also, when cross shaft 52 is being driven, through the differential action, there may be relative difference in motion between the drums 53 and 54. The action of the differential between drums 53 and 54 is important in our invention and is utilized to stabilize the load suspendedly supported by the crane as will be hereinafter explained. Brake drums 59 and 50 are connected respectively with drums 53 and 54 and, as shown, also function as a housing over spider 51 and bevel pinions 58. Surrounding brake drums 59 and 65 are brake bands 6I and 62 respectively. The operating means for the brake bands 6I and 62 will be discussed later in connection with Figs. '1 and 8.

Previously it was stated that brake band 4I might be employed, if desired, and it was further stated that braking mechanism 41 might be employed, if desired. Each of these braking mechanism provides an additional safety factor as the duid motors 30 and 46 are in effect brakes when the duid being delivered to them is locked, provided, of course, that the duid employed is a liquid as distinguished from' a gas.

As a source of fluid under pressure, we employ `a prime lmover as electric motor 63 (see Fig. 4). This electric motor 63 is connected and drives a plurality of fluid pumps 64, 65 and 66 which feed duid under pressure respectively to duid motors 3U, 61 and 46. Preferably the duid pumps 64 and 65 employ a liquid as hydraulically driven motors operate smoother than do air motors, and also by having duid motors 30 and 46 it is only necessary to shut off duid under pressure to the motors and the motors will thus be selfbraking. As to duid motor 61, this may be of the hydraulic type just mentioned, or it may be desired to employ another type of motor which will automatically come to a slow stop or to provide means to cause a hydraulic motor 61 to gradually come to a stop to prevent sudden and abrupt stopping of the angular movement of tubular member I4 and parts connected therewith.

One mode of operation of the various duid motors 30, 46 and 61 is to cause electric motor 63 (Fig. 4) to be driven continuously and to continuously operate the duid pumps 64, 65 and 66. As the schematic showing for means of connecting said duid pumps 64, 65 and 66 with duid motors 30, 61 and 46, we have shown two conduits 68 connected between pump 65 and duid motor 61, and also an operating lever 69 to control the dow of duid between such devices. The operating lever 69 will be suitably positioned as respects the operators platform .16 (Fig. 2) so the operator can readily operate such operating lever 69. For the above mentioned purposes fragments of conduits 1I are shown in Fig. 4 as being connected with duid pump 66, and fragments of the same conduits are shown connected with duid motor 46 (see Fig. 3). Also an operating lever 12 (Fig. 4) is employed in connection with duid pump 65 and is again suitably positioned relative to the `operators platform 10. Similarly, fragments of conduits 13 are shown connected with duid pump 64 in Fig. 4, and fragments of the same conduits are shown connected with fragments of the duid motor 30 in Fig. 3. Again an operating lever 14 is shown in connection with the duid pump 64 shown in Fig. 4 and which is again suitably positioned relative to the operators platform 10 for a like purpose.

Laterally spaced apart cables are connected re;- spectively with drums 53' and 54' for hoisting or to raise and lower the load suspendedly supported by the crane. Referring iirst to the cable reeved about drum 54 (drum 54 is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings as well as in Fig. 3 of the drawings), the portion of the cable reeved about the drum is numbered 15 in Fig. 3. The cable extends upwardly and forms cable portion 15a which is also indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Cable portion 15a is reeved about a sheave 18 (see particularly Fig. 1) and the portion leading away from sheave 16 is numbered 15b. The cable portion 15b extends to and is reeved about sheave 11 toward the outer end of the boom structure I9. The cable then extends toward and is reeved about sheave 18 and the portion of the cable so extending is numbered 15e. Next, the cable after passing around sheave 18 extends toward the outer end oi the boom and such cable portion is numbered 15d. The cable portion 15d is led by sheave 19 to sheave 89 and then extends downwardly to form a -cable portion 15e. Sheave 80 is av fair lead sheave which facilitates the angular direction 'of the cable portion 15e so that cable portions 15e and 8Ie can readily maintain the V-shape illustrated in 6 of the drawings.

Referring now to the cable portionsI of the cable reeved about drum 53, the cable portions 8|, 8Ia, 81h, 81e, 8Id and 8Ie correspond to the cable portions 15 to 15e inclusively, and are reeved about sheaves 82 to 88 inclusive in a similar manner to the reeving of the cable portions 155V to 15e inclusive about sheaves 18 to 89 inclusive. Thus cable portion SIe is reeved about drumv -3 (Fig. 3) and the cable portion 81a extends upwardly and over a sheave 'B2 (Fig. l). A cable portion 8Ib leaves sheave 92 and is led to and reeved about a sheave 83. The cable portion 8Ic leads away from sheave 83 and to and about sheave 84. The cable portion leaving sheave 84 is numbered 8Id and the same extends over the sheave 85 and over the fair lead sheave 86. The portion of the cable extending downwardly from the sheave 8B is numbered 8 Ie and the two cable portions 8Ie and 15e form the V as shown in Fig. 6, and the said cable portions e and 8Ie are connected with weighted spreader member 91. The weighted spreader member 81 suspendedly carries a swivel hook 88 which may be connected to a load in any usual manner, such as by the use of choker lines, cargo nets, slings, or the like.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that if a load is suspended from the swivel hook 98` and the load starts to swing on cable portionsV 15e and SIe due to movement of the ship supporting thev crane construction, or sudden stopping of the swinging or slewing obtaining because of angular movement of the platforms 29 and 2| and tubular member I4, the cable comprising the cable portion 15 will tend to wrap or unwrap about drum 54 while the cable embodying the cable portion 8| will tend to respectively unwrap or wrap on drum 53 due to the action of the diierential between drums 53 and 54. It is desirable that any swinging movement so reflected through the cables shall be transmitted directly to the drums 53 land 54 and hence the various sheaves 16 to 80 inclusive and 82 to 86 inclusive are preferably provided with anti-friction bearings to eliminate friction to a minimum. In other words, it is our desire to dampen the load by meansA connected with drums 53 and 54 and not because of friction involved' in any of the various sheaves employed. friction obtaining tending to resist movement of the cables involved automatically dampens any swinging; movement of the. load and thus may be utilized, if desired, in our invention. However, any friction involved in the various sheaves employedwill be a constant load which must be overcome. during operation while on the other hand the brake means which we employ to dampen the movement of drums 53 and 54 can be applied when desired and will not form a part of a constant load which must be overcome during normal operation.

The brake bands 6I and 62 which were previously described in connection with Fig. 5 of the drawings are also indicated somewhat schematically in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings. Brake band 6I is,v connected through a series of links and levers generally numbered 89, with foot pedal 90, so that upon depressing of foot pedal 99, brake band 6 Iv brakes against brake drum 59. Similarly, brake band 62 is connected by a plurality of links and levers 9|, with foot pedal 92, so that upon depressing of foot pedal 92, brake band 62 brakes against brake drum 60.

Preferably, the foot pedals 99 and 92 are positioned alongside each other so that an operator can with the same foot depress both pedals and 92 at once or by rolling the foot can selectively operate brake bands 6I and B2 either separately, together, or to any desired extent. As the operator will be operating the crane by employment of both his hands and feet, a seat 93 for the operator is employed.

Referring again to Fig. e of the drawings, a brake mechanism, schematically shown and numbered 94, is provided between fluid motor 81 and bull pinion I1. This braking mechanism 94 is connected by links and levers fragmentarily shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings and numbered 95. A foot pedal 96 may be depressed by an operator to apply the brakes of braking mechanism 94 and thus hold the bull pinion I1 in a desired angular position, which in turn stops the rotary movement of the tubular member I4, upper deck 20, lower deck 2 I, and parts associated therewith.

Referring again to Figs. '1 and 8 of the drawings, a lever 91 is employed to control the raising and lowering of swivel hook 88 (hoisting movement) through the various cables previously mentioned. Lever 98 in movement in one vertical plane controls the slew or rotary movement of the cab I2 and parts associated therewith, and in movement in a vertical plane at right angles to the first mentioned vertical plane controls the raising and lowering of the outer end of the boom frame structure I9 (luling movement). Thus, an operator by the employment of both hands and both feet controls the operation of the various parts of the structure.

The manner of connecting operating rods or levers with valves. to accomplish the purposes indicated byy levers 91 and 98 is well known in the art, and as a diagrammatic illustration thereof we have shown in views in Figs. 9, 10 and 1l a schematic connection between the levers 91 and 98 and the fluid pumps, 65 and 94 so that by the levers 91 and 98 the operator is able to cause uid motors 46, 61, and 39 to turn in either direction or come to rest.

Referring to Figs.. 9 and 10 of the drawings, the lever 98 is shown and angularly moves in one vertical plane (see Fig. 9) about an axis 99 and also moves in another vertical plane at right angles to the rst mentioned vertical plane about 9. an axis (Fig. 10). Thus the lever 98 in its neutral position is indicated in the full line position in Fig. 9 and may assume either of the positions indicated by dash lines |0| or |0Ia. The lever 98 may angularly move about the axis |00 as indicated in Fig. 10 and assume the full line position shown, or the same may be moved to either of the positions indicated by dash lines |02 or |02a. When the lever 99 is in the full line position shown in Fig. 9, the operating lever 14 for the fluid pump 64 will be in a neutral position and hence motor 30 will not operate. However, if the lever 98 as indicated in Fig. 9 moves toward the position indicated by dotted line |0 I or toward that indicated by |0Ia, motor 30 turns in one direction or the other in accordance with the particular connections employed. As an illustration of a device permitting such operation, the lever 98 is pivoted on the shaft 99 which is the axis of rotation and the shaft 99 carries a lever |03. Lever I 03 is mounted on shaft 99 and is connected through cable drive |04 with a lever |05. Angular movement of lever |05 imparts -a sliding movement of operating valve mechanism 14 which is associated with the pump 64, also schematically shown in said Fig. 9.

Depending lever |06 extends downwardly from lever 98 and angularly moves about axis |00. Lever |06 has an opening |01 therein through which passes a portion of the cable drive |08. The cable drive |08 connects with a lever |09, which in turn connects with operating lever 69 of slew pump 05. Cable drive |08 carries spaced apart lugs I l0 so that when the lever 98 moves in the vertical plane illustrated in Fig. 9, the cable drive I 08 will slide in the opening I 01 of the lever |00. However, when the lever 98 is operated in a vertical plane at right angles to that illustrated in Fig. 9 or in the plane illustrated in Fig. 10,

then the depending lever I 96 will engage with one or the other of lugs ||0 and thus move the cable |08 in either desired direction to cause the slewing pump 65 to be in a neutral position or in a position to operate slewing motor 61 in the desired direction.

Referring now to Fig. 11 of the drawings, we have shown a lever controlled mechanismv for controlling the operating valve or lever 12 of the hoist pump 66 which eventually controls the operation of hoist motor 46. As a schematic showing, the lever 91 will be in neutral position when in the full line position shown in Fig. 11, and will be in a position to cause hoist pump 66 to drive hoist motor 46 in forward or reverse directions as the lever arm 91 moves toward either of the positions indicated by dash lines in Fig. 11. The lever 91 will be mounted on a pivotally mounted shaft lI2, which shaft carries lever ll3. Lever 3 is connected with a cable drive I4, which cable drive Il4 is in a position to operate lever II5, which lever I|5 is connected with operating lever 12 of hoist pump 66 so that as the lever 91 moves toward one of two dash line positions III or Illa, the lever 12 will be moved in or out and cause the hoist pump to deliver iluid to the hoist motor 46 and drive the hoist motor 46 in the desired direction at speed of rotation.

In connection with the various devices shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive, the movement of the lever 93 in the desired vertical plane in Figs. 9 or l0, and the movement of the lever 91 in the plane indicated in Fig. 11 is employed to cause various pumps 64, 65 and 66 to control the flow of fluid and in the desired direction to motors 30, 61 and 46, and thus control the operation thereof.

While lwe have shown levers 98 and 91 which are commonly referred to in the art as joy sticks and have schematically illustrated cable operating means to reflect the motions of said levers 91 and 98 to eventually control the operation of motors 30,61 and 46, it is to be understood that other expedients are commonly known to accomplish such ultimate purposes and that our invention is not to be limited to the specific details diagrammatically illustrated.

In operating cranes embodying our invention, adept operators will be causing the outer end of the boom structure to be raised or lowered (luing), and will at the same time be causing the swivel hook 88 to be raised and lowered (hoisting), and will be causing the cab l2 and the parts associated therewith to angularly move (slewing) Also, at the same time, the operator may be causing the load to stabilize between cable portions 15e and 8|e. However, in most instances, we will separately describe the various actions, but in part we will describe some combined actions taking place at the same time, as they are so correlated that such a description will be desirable.

As will now be apparent, the operator can angularly move or turn the cab I2 and parts associated therewith by operation of lever 98. Thus, the cab may be caused to turn in either direction or to come to rest. Also, it will be apparent that the operator can by operation of the lever 96 in the desired direction lulT or cause the boom structure I9 to angularly move up or down. In the particular construction illustrated, the proportions are such that a level lufng feature is incorporated. However, such level lumng feature is preferable but not a limitation of the present invention.v By level luing, it is meant that the swivel hook 88 will maintain a constant elevation when the boom structure I9 is raised or lowered if the hoist motor 46 which is connected with the cable portion 15e and 8|e is not operated. In other words, the cable portions 15e and 8Ie become longer in length as the boom structure I9 is raised, and the other cable portions, 15b to 15d inclusive and 8 b to 8 d inclusive, become shorter, due to the arrangements and dimensions of parts. However, it may be desired to operate hoist motor 46 at the same time that boom frame structure I9 is raised or lowered, and thus, obviously, the elevation of swivel hook 88 will not be maintained constant under such circumstances. Also from the foregoing it is obvious that at any time the operator can change the elevation of swivel hook 88 by operation of lever 91.

Assuming that a load is supported by swivel hook 88 and either` due to the list of a ship or the fact that the cab I2 is rotating, the load supported bythe swivel hook 88 will tend to swing in an arc or swing sidewise relative to the longitudinal axis of the boom structure I9. Sudden stopping of the cab I2 will also tend to cause such swinging movement of the load. In our invention, we are able to control such swinging movement or bring the load to rest very rapidly by the operation of the mechanism and by such additional control as the operator exerts through foot pedals and 92.

Referring to Fig. 6 of the drawings, it is obvious that if the load attempts to swing on the cable portions 15e and Ble and if said cable portions were relatively xed as respects the tip portion of boom structure I0, that the load would swing from one of the cable portions 15e as a pendulum and alternately swing from the cable portion Ble as a pendulum. In actual practice,

we have found that .such a tendency to :swing from said cable portions as a pendulum under the assumed conditions mentioned is very pronounced and `such condition would obtain if the operator depressed both foot pedals 90 and 92 and to a sufficient extent to eliminate any relative movement between the drums 53 and 54 of Fig. of the drawings. However, in 4actual operation, the operator causes va slight braking pressure to be applied by both of the pedals 95 and 92 and thus through the differential action obtaining between drums 53 and `54 the load is gradually and rapidly .brought to rest and swinging movement eliminated. Also, it is obvious that if the operator .rocks his foot so as to a1- ternately apply the desired pressure on the foot pedals 99 and 92 `that this may be reiected in the braking action on drums 53 and .54 and an adept operator can by such selected pressure on the pedals 9i) and S2 bring a load to rest and very rapidly eliminate swinging. Generally, the operator will judiciously apply pressure to the foot brake 9E so as to gradually cause thecab I2 to come to rest. However, at times it is desired to cause a load to swing so that the .load can be deposited at locations which normally would not be reached for a given elevation of the boom frame structure I9. Thus, an operator can abruptly apply pressure to the foot pedal 95, which will cause a sudden and abrupt stop to the rotary motion of cab I2 and boom frame structure I9, and thus the load will swing very violently in the former direction of travel of the cab I2. Then if an operator applies pressure to the appropriate pedal'SIl or y92 the load will be suspended from a single cable and will swing like a pendulum and at the desired portion of the arc of swing, the operator can lower the cables including cable portions e and 81e to deposit the load as so desired.

Crane devices employing a single line between the outer end of the boom and the load can readily cause the load to swing. and as a matter of fact, the load generally swings whether the operator desires it `or not. In our invention, we are able to relieve the tension on either cable portion 15e or 8Ie and the one under tension will then function in the Vusual manner, with the usual amount of swinging, and 'with the lack of control of the swinging if such may be desired for a particular unloading operation. AOn the other hand, with devices embodying Aour invention, we are able through the differential action resulting from the construction as respects drums 53 and 54, to reduce swinging action where this is desired and to augment the reduction of swinging by judicious application of brake bands 6I and 62 through foot pedals 90 and 92. Also, whenever it is desired, we can stabilize the load and prevent swinging and then gradually lower the load to a desired location either on both cable portions 15e or SIe, or on either thereof. In the event that a substantial spread between the cables is provided between fair lead sheaves 8S and 85, the operator can move a load sidewise to the desired extent and within the range of the full amount of lateral spacing between the fair lead sheaves 80 .and 86.

In the foregoing preferred form of our invention, we have not indicated means to take care of sway of the load which may be in a direction longitudinally of the boom structure i5. Wherever equipment is operating under conditions where this becomes a problem, then the alternate construction of our invention which is shown somewhat schematically in Figs. 12 and 13v may be employed. Such views, ifragme'ntarily and ksomewhat schematically, illustrate parts previously shown and rdescribed and bear the same numbers. In such gures lan additional line or cable II' is yconnected with the weighted spreader member 81 and passes upwardly and relatively inwardly as respects cable portions 15e and 8Ie, over sheaves II'I, thence longitudinally of the boom frame structure I9 and reeved around a drum IIS. Drum IIB is provided with a resilient force tending to keep cable Ii'ta'ut. There are spring loaded spools or drums, or spools or drums vdriven by torque motors, ire., motors designed to maintain a desired tension against movement in a given direction, all of which are commonly obtainable on the market to maintain a cable taut and with a given pressure on the cable. Any of such-'devices may rbe used in connection with drum IIB. Braking mechanism IIS (somewhat schematically shown) is associated with drum II8 and operating lever means (not shown) are connected with said braking mechanism I I9 and are suitably located for Yconvenient operation thereof by the operator. Thus, if a load tends'to swing in a clockwise direction as respects the showing in Fig. l2 of the drawings, the drum H8 will take up slack. Then, if the load tends to swing counter-clockwise as respects Fig. l2 of the drawings, the operator may operate braking mechanism IIS and a resistance will be applied tending to resist outward swinging motion of the load or swinging motion in a counter-clockwise direct-ion as respects Fig. 12 of the drawings. Due to the fact that cables forming substantially a triangle in horizontal section will be connected with the load, side sway of the load can be balanced out by appropriate action of our mechanism in connection with the cable 15e and SIe. Also, due to the fact that the third leg of the said triangle includes cable IIB, then any tendency of the load to swing outwardly may be dampened by applying a braking force through cable I I6 at the time the load is swinging outwardly.

Referring now to the further modified form of our invention, fragments of which are shown in Figs. 14 and 15, a .fragment of the outer end of a boom structure is shown, and as the same may duplicate the boom frame structure I9 previously shown, the boom frame structural parts are numbered I9. Also, the following other parts which may duplicate are given the same numbers previously employed, and include sheave 85, fair lead sheave 86, sheave 83, sheave `I'I, sheave 19, and fair lead sheave 8B. The particular difference illustrated in connection with Figs. 14 and 15 is that the equalizing between the cable fragment portions 15e .and 8Ie passingrespectively over fair lead 4sheaves 80 and-86 may be equalize'd by means other-than the differential operating between drums 53 and 54 of Fig. 5. In other words, if the construction of Figs. 14 and l5 is employed, the drums 53 and :54 may bemechanicallylinked together and the differential comprising bevel gears 55, 56, spider 51, and bevel pinions 58 may be eliminated. Also, obviously, if a brake is employed, there need be only one control of the same in lieu of brake pedals and 92 as separate braking of integral parts, as drums 53 and 54, is unnecessary.

In Figs. 14 and l5 a plurality of slotted bearing plates AI ZI) are provided, and sheave 'I'I is mounted on va shaft I2I extending through slots I22 in each of vthe plates I-20 associated with shaft I2I. Similarly, sheave -83 is mounted on a shaft |23. which shaft 23 extends through slots |22 in the bearing plates associated therewith. By the use of such bearing plates |20 and the shafts I 2| and |23 and the slots |22, the sheaves and 83 will always assume a vertical position even though the cable passing thereabout is not taut. Shafts |2I and |23 are each respectively supported by bifurcated bearing arm members |24, and the arms |24 are each in turn pivotally supported on a pin |25. Pins |25 pivotally connect the arms |24 with an equalizing bar |26. The equalizing bar |26 is pivotally connected by pivot means |21 with the boom frame structure I9. A piston rod |28 is connected with each of the pins |25 at an end portion thereof, and at the other end portion thereof with a piston |29. Each of the pistons |29 is mounted for traveling movement in the cylinder forming means |30. Within each cylinder forming means |30 is disposed a liquid so that movement of the equalizing bar |26 in one direction tends to express liquid out of the cylinder |30 and into conduit means |3|. Movement in the other direction of equalizing bar |26 causes liquid in the other cylinder forming means |30 (the one indicated towards the top of Fig. 14 of the drawings) and liquid is expressed out conduit means I 32. The conduits |3| and |32 lead to appropriate control Valve means (not shown) adjacent the operator. As liquid is expressed out either of the conduits |3| or |32, it will be drawn inwardly of the other thereof so that by controlling the passage of liquid between conduits I 3| and |32 -the operator can provide a controlled pressure resisting turning movement of the equalizing bar |26 in either direction. When cable portion 8Ie is extended or lowered due to swinging of the load, then the cable portions 8|b and 8|c which are wrapped about sheave 83 will tend to shorten and urge sheave 83 towards the left as viewed in Fig. 14 of the drawings. At the same time because of the shortening of cable portion 15e because of the assumed direction of swing of the load, the cable portions 15b and '|5c will tend to elongate as the sheave 'I'| over which they pass moves to the right as respects the showing in Fig. 14 of the drawings. Upon such relative movement of the sheaves 83 and TI, then any dampening action obtained by reason of control of the liquid passing between conduits |3| and |32 will cause a dampening action on the swing of the load in such direction. As the load tends to swing in the opposite direction, then by restricting the ow or controlling the flow of liquid between conduits |3| and |32, the operator can provide the desired dampening action and bring the load promptly to rest by controlling the flow of liquid between the said conduits |3| and |32 or flow of liquid between conduits |32 and I3 The structure of the preferred form of our invention shown in Figs. 1 to 1l inclusive provides a diierential in the cable system so that as cable portions 15e and 8|e tend to alternately lengthen and shorten with the swing of the load, a. desired braking action can be provided as respects the two drums 53 and 54 on which the cables including said cable portions 15e and Ble are reeved. We prefer to use such construction of the preferred form of our invention shown in Figs. l to 11 inclusive as the operator has better control of the equalizing. The parts operative in the equalizing system are disposed adjacent the tubular member |4 and adjacent the near end of the boom so that the weight of the parts does not introduce a substantial mechanical problem. However, we have found that equalizing by the 14 parts illustrated in connection with Figs. 14 and 15 has utility under given circumstances.

In a general way, the supporting structure comprises supporting means II, upper deck 20, and lower deck 2|, which form a unit, and preferably such unit is mounted for rotary movement so that the boom structure I9 may be slewed. Next, the boom structure preferably has laterally extending heel and tip portions and has its heel portion connected with the supporting structure as by bearings 22. The sheaves an 86 illustrate laterally spaced apart sheaves connected with the tip portion of the boom structure I9. The laterally spaced sheave means 'f6-'I8 and 82-84 illustrate laterally spaced apart sheaves connected with the supporting structure and at an elevation above the connection of the boom heel portion to the supporting structure by bearings 22. Driven drums 53 and 54 illustrate a prime mover. A load engaging means is illustrated by hook 88. The spaced apart hoisting cable means extending from the prime mover is illustrated by cable portions 15 to 75e inclusive and 0I to 8Ie, inclusive. Said hoisting cable means extends from the prime mover (drums 53 and 54), over the spaced sheaves secured to the supporting structure (sheaves 'I6-'Z8 and 82-84), over the spaced sheaves 80 and 86 and thence the cables extend downwardly to the load engaging member 80. Preferably, the weighted spreader member 3l is employed to prevent the cables from twisting and the cable portions 75e and SIe are spaced by spreader member 0l a distance less than the spacing between fair lead sheaves 00 and 85.

The luing cables comprise portions 42 to 42d, inclusive, and 44 to 44d, inclusive. The lufng cables are connected to the boom structure I9 at laterally spaced locations as by beckets 43 and 45. 'I 'he spaced cable means 42 to 42d inclusive and 44 to 44d inclusive pass over spaced sheaves 26-21 and 23-29 which are spaced apart and preferably at an elevation above the bearings 22 which support the heel portion of the boom frame structure I9. The cable portions 42a and 44a pass downwardly and around a prime mover as driven drums 34 and 35.

Thus, the boom structure I9 is prevented from twisting by reason of the luing cables, as well as the hoisting cables, as we have in each instance a triangle, two legs of which are formed by cables under tension and the third leg of which is formed by the boom frame structure I9 which will be under compression.

We have illustrated cable take up means for the cable portions 15e and BI-e as the same lengthens and shortens because of lateral swinging movement of the load. Such cable take up means may be in the nature of the differential shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings or may be in the nature of the modified form illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 of the drawings. While the said cable take up means are illustrated in connection with preventing side sway or lateral sway of the load, obviously the same mechanism can be employed to eliminate outward swing and inward swing of the load. However, side sway of the load is a condition which is of more importance on most shipboard cranes, and hence our invention has been so illustrated and described. If in and out swing of the load is a problem, this can also be controlled by employing the form of our invention illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings where cable II6 is employed to control outward swinging motion of the load.

Obviously, changes may be made in theV for-m., dimensions and arrangement xoi the parts of our invention, without departing from the principle thereof, the above setting forth only a preferred form of embodiment.

We claim:

l. A crane mechanism comprising a vertically extending supporting structure; a boom structure having laterally extending heel and tip portions and having its heel vportion connected with said supporting structure; laterally spaced apart sheaves connected with the tip portion of the boom structure; laterally spaced apart sheave means connected with said supporting structure and at an elevation above the connection of the boom heel portion to said supporting structure; a prime mover; a load engaging means comprising a laterally extending spreader bar having load engaging means depending therefrom; a pair of spaced hoist cable means extending from the prime mover over said spaced sheaves at the tip portion of the boom structure and thence downwardly to and connected with said spreader bar at laterally spaced locations less than the lateral spacing of the sheaves at the boom tip portion; luiiing cable prime mover means; and lufilng cable means extending from said cable prime mover means, over said spaced sheaves on said supporting structure and connected with the tip portion of .the boom structure at spaced locations.

2. A crane mechanism comprising a verti-cally extending supporting structure; -a boom structure having laterally extending heel and tip portions and having its heel portion connected with said supporting structure; laterally spaced apart sheaves connected with the tip portion of the boom structure; a prime mover; a loa-d engaging means; a pair of spaced hoist cable means extending from the prime mover over said spaced sheaves at the tip portion of the boom structure and thence downwardly to the load engaging member; and cable take up means connected with each of said hoist cable means for taking up cable on each of the same and maintaining the same under tension vas load connected with the loa-d 4engaging member laterally swings relative to the tip portion of the boo-m.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said cable take up means comprises a pivotally mounted -equalizing bar interconnecting said pair of hoist cable means, and adjustable pres-V sure control means resisting langular movement of said eflualizing bar.

4. The :combination of claim 2 wherein said cable take up means comprises a -pivotally mounted equalizing bar interconnecting said pair of hoist cable means, and manually adjustable fluid pressure control means resisting angular movement of said equalizing bar.

5. A crane mechanism comprising a vertically extending supporting structure; a boom structure having laterally extending heel and tip portions and having its heel portion connected with said supporting structure; laterally yspaced apart sheaves connected with the tip portion of the boom structure; cable take up means connected `with each of said hoist cable means for taking up cable on each of the same and maintaining the same under tension as load engaging member swings relative to the tip portion of the boom comprising two driven drums coupled together by a differential type coupling member; a load engaging means; and a pair of spaced hoist cable means extending from said `driven drums over said spaced sheaves at the tip porti-on of the boom 16 structure and thence downwardly to the :load engaging member.

:6. A crane mechanism comprising a vertically extending supporting'structure; la boom structure having later-ally extending heel and tip portions andhavin-g its heel portion vconnected with said supporting structure; laterally spa-ced apart sheaves-connected `with the tip portion of the boom structure; cable take up means connected with each of said hoist cable means for taking up `cable on each of the same and maintaining the same under tension as load engaging member swings relative to the tip portion of the boom comprising two driven ldrums coupled together by a diierential type coupling member; independent braking means for each of said drums; a load engaging mean-s; and a pair of spaced hoist cable means extending from said driven drums over said spaced sheaves at the tip portion of the boom structure and thence downwardly to the load engaging member.

7. A crane mechanism comprising la vertically extending supporting structure; a boom structure having a laterally extending tip portion and having its heel portion connected with said supporting structure; laterally spaced apart sheaves connected with the tip portion of the boom structure; a prime mover; a loa-d engaging means; a pair of spaced hoist cable means extending from the prime mover over said spaced sheaves at the tip portion of the boom structure and thence downwardly to the load engaging member; and an outward swing resisting cable means connected with said loa-d engaging member, passing upwardly to and supported by-said boom structure at a .location laterally intermediate the said spaced hoist sheaves at said boom tip portion and intermediate the boom tip and heel portions.

8. A crane mechanism comprising a vertically extending `supporting structure; a boom structure having laterally extending heel and tip portions and having its heel portion connected with said supporting structure; laterally spaced apart hoist sheaves connected with the tip portion of the boom structure; a .prime mover; a load engaging means; a pair of spaced hoist cable means extending from the prime mover over said spaced hoist sheaves at the tip portion of the boom structure and thence downwardly to the load engaging member; and an outward swing resisting cable means connected with said load engaging member, passing upwardly to andsupported by `said boom structure at a location laterally intermediate the said spaced hoist sheaves at said boom tip portion and intermediate t-he boom ti-p and heel portions.

9. A crane mechanism comprising :a supporting structure; a boom structure having a tip portion `and having its heel portion connected with said supporting structure; spaced apart sheaves connected with the tip portion of the boom structure; cable take up means connected with each of said hoist cable means for taking up cable on Ieach of the same and maintaining the same under tension as load engaging member swings relative to the tip portion of the boom comprising -two driven drums coupled together by a differential type coupling member; a load engaging means; and Ia pair of spaced hoist cable means extending from said driven drums over sai-d spaced sheaves at the tip portion of the boom structure and thence downwardly to the load engaging member.

10. A ycrane mechanism comprising a supporting structure; a boom structure having a tip portion and having its heel portion connected with said supporting structure; spaced apart sheaves connected with the tip portion of the boom structure; a prime mover; a load engaging means; Ia pair of spaced hoist cable means extending from said prime mover over said spaced sheaves at the tip portion of the boom structure |and thence downwardly to the load engaging member; and cable take up means connected with ea'ch of said hoist cable means for taking up cable on each of the same and maintaining the same under tension as the load engaging member swings relative to the tip portion .of the boom.

1l. A crane mechanism comprising a vertically extending supporting structure; a boom structure having a laterally extending tip portion and having its heel portion pivotally connected with said supporting structure; lung cable prime mover means; laterally spaced lung sheaves carried by said supporting structure and at an elevati-on above the pivotal connection of the boom heel portion to the supporting structure; laterally spaced -apart lumng .cable means connected With said boom tip portion and laterally spaced locati-ons, passing over said spaced luing sheaves, and connected with said lufng cable prime mover means; a plurality of laterally spaced yapart hoisting sheaves connected with the tip portion of the boomr structure; .a plurality of laterally spaced hoisting sheaves connected with the said supporting structure; 4a load engaging means; cable take up means connecte-d with each of said hoist cable means for taking up cable on each of the same and maintaining the same under tension as the load engaging member swings relative to the tip porti-on of the boom comprising two driven `drums -coupled together by a differential type coupling member; and fa pair of spaced hoist cable means each `extending from one of said driven ldrums over one of said hoisting sheaves secured to said supporting structure, about `one of :said spaced hoisting sheaves at the tip portion of the boom structure and thence back to and about one of said hoisting sheaves carried by the supporting structure and thence to and over one .of said hoisting sheaves carried by the tip portion of the boom structure and thence downwardly to the load engaging member, the said hoisting cable and sheaves substantially providing for level luffng.

ARTHUR L. SENN. CHARLES D. GOULD. CARL EVENSEN. ARTHUR L. SENN, Ja.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,321,549 Holmes June 8, 1943 2,377,448 Porter June 5, 1945 

